Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 1: Remembering Nick Mangold

Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca (from Colorado), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is dedicated to remembering former New York Jets center and local legend Nick Mangold, who suddenly passed away at the age of 41 after being unable to secure a needed kidney transplant. While the Jets notched their first win of the season, the hosts and the New York sports family are focused on honoring Mangold's legacy—as both a Hall of Fame-caliber player and a beloved member of the community. The show explores personal memories, the impact of his loss, and how it puts sports and life into sobering perspective, before eventually pivoting to the Jets' win and other football news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Loss of Nick Mangold (02:00–16:00)

• Shock and Personal Remembrance

  • Don, Alan, and Peter express shock at Mangold’s sudden passing, despite public knowledge of his recent health struggles.
    • Don La Greca: “It’s just incredible to think how he passed at the age of 41… it still is hard to process a day later.” (02:29)
    • Peter Rosenberg: “He was always so emotional, so fun, so full of life, eager to talk, just eager to hang out…He just loved everything about the tri state area.” (03:30)
  • Peter highlights Mangold’s off-field joy and deep connection to New York sports, despite his Ohio roots.

• His Commitment and Local Impact

  • Mangold wholly embraced the NY/NJ community, living in Madison, NJ, supporting local teams, and appearing at numerous events and ESPN New York station functions.
  • The hosts recall their disbelief and hope after his recent public plea for a kidney and how support never wavered, believing medicine or community would pull through.

• Hallmarks of Nick Mangold

  • Alan and Peter reminisce about interviews, public appearances, and Mangold’s ability to just be “a regular guy” despite his sports fame. Notable is Alan’s story of the two of them as Met Gala “extras,” both finding hilarity in their out-of-place-ness. (07:34)
    • Alan Hahn: “The idea that you and I ... would be invited to the Met Gala is comedy in and of itself.” (07:43)
  • Don underlines his guilt at being O positive—Mangold’s needed blood type—but unable to be a donor due to his own kidney defect. Both Don and a later caller admit to feeling the communal helplessness of not being able to save Mangold. (09:01, 29:26)

• Tributes from the Football Community

  • Audio from former teammate Damian Woody and coach Rex Ryan highlights Mangold as a leader both on and off the field.
    • Damian Woody (audio, 11:06): “He always made us look great … On the football field, he’s a Hall of Famer. In my opinion, off the field, he’s a Hall of Famer. He’s a great husband, very charitable man, great father.”
    • Rex Ryan (audio): “He comes to me, says, ‘I’m playing this game,’ and he wanted to play for me ... That’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome, and just way too young.” (12:42)
  • Discussion on how Mangold’s era was the last consistently proud chapter for Jets fans, and his presence will be missed.

• Reflections on Life & Perspective

  • The conversation turns philosophical, with Don reminding listeners to “enjoy everything you can and focus on all the good things rather than getting caught up in all the negative things that distract us.” (13:56)
  • Peter notes: “I’m just glad he had some time after he retired to be with his family.” (14:30)

The First Jets Win in Context (15:45–24:00)

• The Jets rally from behind to beat the Bengals, but the win feels muted amid Mangold’s passing. Discussion includes:

  • Don’s detachment as a frustrated but lifelong fan.
  • The significance of the comeback win happening in Cincinnati, near where Mangold grew up. (15:42)
  • Peter and Alan break down the game’s meaning (“Is this a turning point for the team/coach Aaron Glenn?”), but note the day’s emotional overlay. (18:34, 18:50)

• Quarterback & Coach Discourse

  • Justin Fields finally had a breakout game, but questions about his future persist. When Coach Glenn is asked if Fields will remain the starter post-bye, he remains noncommittal.
    • Aaron Glenn (clip): “This gives us a chance to really just hone in on the good, bad and ugly and try to get those things worked out…” (21:12)
  • The hosts debate if keeping things ambiguous is coach “gamesmanship” or true doubt in Fields.

Fan Calls: Remembering Mangold and Football Talk (29:26–50:20)

• Calls Reflecting on Mangold

  • Multiple callers express guilt at not being able to help Mangold, share personal stories, and reinforce how beloved and approachable he was.
    • Danny: “I felt extremely guilty … I tried, I certainly did... I mean, God bless him and his family, and he was a great guy.” (29:26)
    • Dove: “He always seemed like such a titan, you know, like such an adult or like a grown up, this big guy. And time goes by and all of a sudden I’m realizing he was five years older than me ... I put my jets hat on when I heard the news yesterday…” (47:38)
  • The audience’s grief mirrors that of the hosts, reinforcing Mangold’s impact as a human being beyond the playing field.

• Jets, Draft Position, and Owner Musings

  • Lament over being unable to just “enjoy a win” without immediately considering draft lottery implications due to ongoing franchise struggles. (23:01)
  • The “Genius of Woody?” (the owner) as a tongue-in-cheek caller theory posits that public criticism of Fields was a motivational ploy, but the hosts quickly dismiss the idea, mocking Woody’s attempts at relatability.

• Jets and Giants Quick Hits

  • The Giants’ injury woes, quarterback situation, and Daniel Jones’ improved ball security are briefly addressed.
  • Typical back-and-forth pick ’em banter about the NFL’s unpredictability in Week 8.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He left four kids under the age of 15. And we all are parents now, you know, and that’s the thing that makes it difficult... In 41 years, he lived a hell of a life. And he’s going to go to the hall of Fame, I believe, someday. But those kids are going to grow out without a dad, without a great dad, because he was such a good person.”
  – Peter Rosenberg, 05:10

• “He was a regular guy for a guy that was, you know, like a seven time Pro Bowler ... Anytime he came around, he was, he was a regular guy. And that’s super regular.”
  – Don La Greca, 07:58

• “He’s a forever guy... He is such a quintessential Jet.”
  – Alan Hahn, 08:52

• “It does show you, ... just how precious life is. And we get so caught up in little things ... Sometimes these are those reminders of, you know what? Enjoy everything you can and focus on all the good things rather than getting caught up in all the negative things that distract us.”
  – Don La Greca, 13:56

• “He always made us look great ... On the football field, he’s a Hall of Famer. In my opinion, off the field, he’s a Hall of Famer.”
  – Damian Woody (audio), 11:06

• “I put my Jets hat on when I heard the news yesterday and like my wife looked at me ... she said, are you wearing that for Nick Mangold? And I said, yeah, I’m wearing it for Nick Mangold.”
  – Caller “Dove”, 48:16

Important Timestamps

• 02:00–16:00 – In-depth remembrance segment: stories, emotions, tributes to Mangold
  • Notable quote by Peter Rosenberg – 05:10
• 11:06 – Damian Woody tribute (audio)
• 12:42 – Rex Ryan tribute (audio)
• 13:56 – Don La Greca: Life perspective and importance of enjoying the moment
• 15:45–24:00 – Jets' game win discussion in Mangold’s shadow
• 21:12 – Coach Aaron Glenn’s ambiguous post-game remarks about QB Justin Fields
• 29:26 – Caller “Danny” shares personal kidney donor story and Mangold memory
• 47:38 – Caller “Dove” on what Mangold meant to Jets fans of his generation

Flow & Tone

The episode is somber yet warm and communal, interspersing deeply personal recollections and tributes with the usual good-natured football banter and fan engagement. Regular humor and frustration about the teams punctuate the conversation, but the emotional gravity of Mangold’s passing keeps the focus on legacy, family, and the meaning of sports as a thread that ties both fans and players together.

Conclusion

This poignant hour encapsulates the collective mourning and celebration of Nick Mangold—a true New York Jet, football great, and community figure. It highlights how a player’s impact stretches far beyond stats, into the daily lives and hearts of those he touched. Through stories, tributes, and honest grief, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg help fans process loss, find perspective, and remember the small joys—on and off the field.